In the 1700s, my ancestors came to America from Saintonge, France. Their name was a variation of present-day Eppinette, including: d'Espanay, DeLa E'Spinay, Epinet, Epinett, Eppinet, and Pinet. If anyone has access to such information, would you kindly check local directories to see if any families by any of these names remain? We want to go to the area. A small amount of research has shown it to be beautiful and historically interesting. They left the area in approximately 1750, according to family records. Thank you.

I realize your post is from 1999 - just wondering if you are still interested or was able to find info you were looking for. My mother was an Eppinette from Rayville, Richland Parish, Louisiana. Her grandfather's name was Sidney Leon Eppinette.